Critical minerals self-reliance push: Parl panel bats for inter-ministerial coordination

New Delhi: A Parliamentary panel has stressed the need for seamless coordination among ministries to bolster the country’s self-reliance in critical minerals like lithium, graphite, cobalt, and rare earth that are vital for a technology-driven future global economy.

In its report, the Committee noted that the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, with its strong emphasis on self-reliance, holds immense potential to secure a sustainable supply chain of these minerals and enhance the country’s industrial competitiveness.

However, it cautioned that without effective coordination, these efforts may fall short.

“The Committee...suggest that alongside the Ministry of Mines, which is leading these efforts, all ministries concerned, State governments and agencies should work in close alignment to ensure that the country remains competitive in the critical mineral sector,” the Standing Committee on Coal, Mines and Steel has said in a report.

The committee recommended that the mines ministry, which is spearheading the drive, should work in close alignment with all concerned ministries, state governments, and agencies to ensure the nation remains competitive in the critical minerals sector.

The panel said that the critical minerals are important for the development and national security of the country, but their supply remains vulnerable due to factors like limited availability and concentration in specific regions.

These resources have significant usage in many sectors, including electronics, telecommunications, transport defence and energy, and self-reliance in the mineral sector including critical minerals is vital for the country’s economic growth and technological development.

The future global economy will be driven by technologies that depend on minerals such as lithium, graphite, cobalt, and rare earth elements, it said.

The government has taken several policy reforms to boost mineral production in the country and make India self-reliant in the mineral sector.

“In this regard, the committee appreciate that the Government has identified 30 critical minerals, with 24 included in Part D of Schedule I of Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act, 1957 (MMDR Act, 1957), which means that the Central Government now has the exclusive authority to auction mining leases and composite licenses for these specific minerals.” In addition, several other policy initiatives have been taken up by the ministry to promote ‘ease of doing business’, it said.